Malawi

Malawi
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Latest analysis
Key Message Update November 2025 Crisis (IPC Phase 3) persists in the south amid limited food assistance distributions Download the report
  • Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are expected in southern Malawi (particularly in Neno, Mwanza, Phalombe, Blantyre, Mulanje, Thyolo, Nsanje, and Chikwawa districts) and parts of the central region and are likely to persist through March 2026. These outcomes are driven by depleted household food stocks following below-average 2025 harvests and reduced purchasing power. Above-average staple food prices and limited agricultural labor opportunities continue to restrict market access for poor households in particular, combined with poor purchasing power. In contrast, Stressed (IPC Phase 2) and Minimal (IPC Phase 1) outcomes prevail across most northern and remaining central districts, supported by own-produced food stocks and typical income sources from agricultural labor, petty trade, and other self-employment activities.
  • In October 2025, annual inflation increased to 29.1 percent from 28.7 percent in September. According to the National Statistical Office of Malawi, food inflation eased slightly to 32.4 percent, while non-food inflation rose to 23.8 percent from 21.7. Inflationary pressures moderated somewhat due to anticipated government imports from Zambia; however, high transport costs and the continued foreign currency depreciation in the parallel market, is maintaining overall elevated prices. The elevated food inflation is limiting market-dependent households' access to food.
  • Maize grain prices declined atypically across the 27 International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) monitored markets, averaging 1,205 MWK/kilogram (kg) in October, down from 1,315 MWK/kg in September. In Mitundu, the FEWS NET national reference market, monthly average prices fell by 8 percent to 1,210 MWK/kg. The decline is likely due to the government announcement of the maize import agreement, increased farmer sales to raise income for seasonal expenses such as seed, fertilizer, and wages for land preparation, and traders lowering prices to reduce their stock levels. Despite this decrease, prices remain 53 percent above October 2024 and 176 percent above the five-year average, and continue to constrain household access to food from markets.
  • According to the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) of Malawi, normal to above normal rainfall was recorded across the country during the second ten days of November, supporting land preparations and planting activities. This has particularly benefited the southern half of the country, where the improved moisture has increased agricultural labor opportunities. However, overall labor demand remains below average, as better-off households have reduced hiring capacity due to the below-average 2025 harvest and ongoing macroeconomic challenges. In the northern half of the country, land preparation is underway, providing near-average agricultural labor opportunities for poor households.
  • The 2025/26 lean season humanitarian response was launched in November with only about 30 percent of the required 120 million USD mobilized, raising the uncertainty on the planned responses, leaving a funding gap of approximately 90 million USD. Targeted households receive either 50 kg of maize or a monthly cash transfer of 90,000 MWK. A fully funded response plan would be expected to cover a three- to six-month period through March 2026, reaching nearly 20 percent of the total population, and help to mitigate food consumption gaps among beneficiary households. However, coverage and reach may vary as the plan is implemented in phases and contingent upon resolving the current funding gaps.
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More analysis View all Malawi analysis Food security
Food Security Outlook Malawi October 2025 - May 2026
Key Message Update Malawi September 2025
Food Security Outlook Update Malawi August 2025
Agroclimatology
Global Weather Hazards Global December 4, 2025 - December 10, 2025
Global Weather Hazards Global November 27, 2025 - December 3, 2025
Global Weather Hazards Global November 20, 2025 - November 26, 2025
Markets & trade
Supply and Market Outlook Southern Africa October 1, 2023
Price Watch Global February 28, 2023
Price Watch Global January 31, 2023
Alerts / Special Reports
Special Report Global June 23, 2025
Special Report Global May 1, 2025
Alert Southern Africa November 8, 2023
Food security
Food Security Outlook Malawi October 2025 - May 2026
Key Message Update Malawi September 2025
Food Security Outlook Update Malawi August 2025
Agroclimatology
Global Weather Hazards Global December 4, 2025 - December 10, 2025
Global Weather Hazards Global November 27, 2025 - December 3, 2025
Global Weather Hazards Global November 20, 2025 - November 26, 2025
Markets & trade
Supply and Market Outlook Southern Africa October 1, 2023
Price Watch Global February 28, 2023
Price Watch Global January 31, 2023
Alerts / Special Reports
Special Report Global June 23, 2025
Special Report Global May 1, 2025
Alert Southern Africa November 8, 2023
Food Security Classification data View all Malawi Food Security Classification data
Malawi Acute Food Insecurity Classification

Forward-looking analysis representing the most likely food security outcomes for the near term (November 2025 - January 2026) and medium term (February 2026 - May 2026) periods.

 Malawi Acute Food Insecurity Classification Shapefile November 2025 (.zip) Malawi Acute Food Insecurity Classification November 2025 (.geojson) Near Term Projection: November 2025 - January 2026 (.png) Medium Term Projection: February 2026 - May 2026 (.png) Near Term Projection: November 2025 - January 2026 (.kml) Medium Term Projection: February 2026 - May 2026 (.kml) Malawi Acute Food Insecurity Classification

Current (October 2025) food security outcomes and forward-looking analysis representing the most likely food security outcomes for the near term (October 2025 - January 2026) and medium term (February 2026 - May 2026) periods.

 Malawi Acute Food Insecurity Classification Shapefile October 2025 (.zip) Malawi Acute Food Insecurity Classification October 2025 (.geojson) Current Situation: October 2025 (.png) Near Term Projection: October 2025 - January 2026 (.png) Medium Term Projection: February 2026 - May 2026 (.png) Current Situation: October 2025 (.kml) Near Term Projection: October 2025 - January 2026 (.kml) Medium Term Projection: February 2026 - May 2026 (.kml) Malawi Acute Food Insecurity Classification

Forward-looking analysis representing the most likely food security outcomes for the near term (September 2025) and medium term (October 2025 - January 2026) periods.

 Malawi Acute Food Insecurity Classification Shapefile September 2025 (.zip) Malawi Acute Food Insecurity Classification September 2025 (.geojson) Near Term Projection: September 2025 (.png) Medium Term Projection: October 2025 - January 2026 (.png) Near Term Projection: September 2025 (.kml) Medium Term Projection: October 2025 - January 2026 (.kml)
Seasonal Calendar

The Seasonal Calendar shows the annual and cyclical patterns of key food and income sources in a country throughout the typical year.
Seasonal Calendar image showing harvest and rainy periods for Malawi
Production & Trade Flow Maps
FEWS NET captures the market networks for a product in a given country or region, including their catchments and trade flow patterns.
Maize, Normal Year
Satellite-derived products map

USGS-provided data and imagery supports FEWS NET's monitoring efforts of weather and climate throughout the world.

View all satellite-derived products
Livelihood Zone resources Malawi Livelihood Baseline Profiles, March 2016 Malawi Rural Baseline, September 2005 Malawi Livelihood Zone Map, July 2015
Malawi 2015 Livelihood Zones Map (.PNG)
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